Black Bean Soup with Chipotle and Lime Recipe

ByElena Hart January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Introduction

This Black Bean Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any season. Packed with spices and smoky chipotle peppers, it offers a satisfying warmth and depth of flavor. It’s easy to make and versatile enough to customize with your favorite toppings.

Two white bowls of dark brown black bean soup are placed on a white marbled surface, each topped with a layer of sour cream, a few light green avocado slices, bright pink pickled onions, small green jalapeño slices, fresh green cilantro leaves, and scattered pumpkin seeds. One bowl has a woman’s hand holding a spoon with a red handle resting inside it. Nearby, there is a white bowl with pumpkin seeds, a small wooden bowl with jalapeño slices, a white plate with green cilantro, lime wedges, and two tarnished metal spoons beside a white cloth with blue stripes. A blue pot of black bean soup with a wooden spoon is also partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium carrot, diced

1 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander

½ teaspoon chili powder
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, including the liquid
2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons sauce

1½ cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, sour cream or vegan sour cream, pickled onions, serrano peppers, pepitas

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
Step 2: Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili powder to the pot. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in the black beans with their liquid, the chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Let the soup cool slightly, then transfer half to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot with the remaining soup and stir well. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree half the soup directly in the pot.
Step 5: Stir in the fresh lime juice, then adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 6: Serve warm with lime wedges and your choice of optional toppings.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, add extra chipotle peppers or some cayenne pepper.
Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if you prefer a non-vegetarian version.
Top with crunchy pepitas or fresh avocado to add texture and creaminess.

To make this soup gluten-free, ensure your broth and seasonings are gluten-free labeled.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warm. This soup also freezes well; freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with dark black bean soup is the main focus, topped with three bright green avocado slices placed on one side, a dollop of white sour cream in the center, thin pink pickled onion slices on top of the sour cream, scattered green jalapeño slices and some pumpkin seeds spread across the surface, and a fresh green cilantro leaf near the sour cream. A spoon with a dark red handle rests inside the bowl on the left side. Around the bowl, there is a wooden dish filled with sliced green jalapeños, two lime halves near the top, fresh cilantro on a white plate with blue dots on the left, and a silver spoon with a white and blue cloth on the right, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup without a blender?

Yes, you can skip blending for a chunkier soup or mash some of the beans with a potato masher in the pot. Using an immersion blender helps achieve a creamy texture without transferring the soup.

How can I reduce the soup’s spiciness?

Reduce or omit the chipotle peppers and chili powder. Adding extra broth or beans can help dilute the heat. Serving with sour cream or avocado can also balance the spice.